Welcome to the final MLB Pipeline Inbox of 2024!

We’re about to enter into the holiday season and I’m in a giving mood, and clearly you were, too, given the volumes of questions folks sent in. I’m going to give a hat tip to frequent contributor Stevie D., who asked a Hanukkah-themed question, wanting eight prospect-related reasons I’d like to celebrate the holidays.

Rather than do that, I’ve decided to do a little rapid-fire and answer eight questions for this week’s Inbox, one for each night. Happy holidays to all!

With the acquisition of Kyle Teel, should he be the White Sox catcher for the future, what position(s) do you believe Edgar Quero could play if he's not at catcher? – @StevieDAles97 on X

This one is tricky. Teel (MLB No. 25) is the better all-around backstop, but he’s also the one who has the athleticism to play other positions, and has, seeing time in the outfield during his time in Virginia. Teel wants to catch, but could he end up following a Daulton Varsho-type path? The White Sox clearly value the position, with GM Chris Getz saying “catching is gold” after getting Teel from the Red Sox. There’s no rush to get them to Chicago with Korey Lee and Matt Thaiss on hand, so perhaps they can figure out a rotation in Triple-A that will work once they do get called up. Once the club starts turning things around, they could always trade from this depth to help them elsewhere; these things have a way of working out.

Who are some good comps for Jett Williams? – ‪@baseballgods16 on Bluesky

Everyone knows how much I, and Jim Callis, do not like making comps, but it’s the holiday season! I think if you want to dream, Williams (MLB No. 52) is a Jose Altuve type with less power (Thanks to Sam Dykstra for the help). He’s more an on-base than batting average guy and I’ll want to see him bounce back from the injury and the so-so Arizona Fall League performance to live up to that.

This question is about a recent Astros trade acquisition. Cam Smith. Who’s his comp? – @AstrosKnower on X

I talked to my Pipeline friends about this one, too. Given the size, the position, the concern about the ground-ball rate, Alec Bohm’s name came up. Smith -- MLB's No. 73 prospect -- got to his power frequently during his pro debut with the Cubs, so there’s hope he’ll continue to adjust and do that more consistently with the Astros. That said, Bohm was an All-Star last year and has 35 homers and 194 RBIs over the last two years, and that’s nothing to sneeze at.

If you were Santa, what gift would you give to Blue Jays in regards to their depth of their farm system? – @Casey_LeighD on X

It might be a Hanukkah theme, but we all need a little Christmas, right this very minute, right? Sam Dykstra and I actually will use this question for next week’s MLB Pipeline Podcast, the final one of 2024. I don’t want to give too much away, but the gifts ranged from health for the pitching prospects to a full season of production from Arjun Nimmala. The biggest gift on the wish list, of course? Roki Sasaki.

Who will make the biggest jump this year from unheralded prospect (unranked) to top of the top 100? -- ‪@rflax on Bluesky

We kind of tackled this in this week’s Podcast episode as Jim Callis and I made our predictions for 2025. This could be called the “Jackson Chourio category.” Not that Chourio was a complete unknown but he started the 2022 season not on the top 100 and ended up the year in the top 10 overall. We unofficially called it “breakout prospect” on the pod and Jim picked another Brewer, Jesus Made, who signed in Jan. 2024, and I like that selection. I chose Kellon Lindsey, the Dodgers’ first-round pick in 2024.

Who is the next Mariners prospect to make the Major League roster? (Have a lot of open positions so hopefully out of Spring Training) -- @AdamJPearson44 on X

Based on who there is in the system, and where they are, and where the opportunities lie, I think I’d have to say Cole Young, currently their No. 2 prospect (I’m only picking from a pool of guys who haven’t played in the big leagues yet; I wouldn’t mind seeing Tyler Locklear get a shot at first base). I could see him winning the second base job this spring, and he’s also capable of sliding over to short if needed.

How would you rank these first-base prospects if we are looking at their projected OPS only: Basallo, Eldridge, Caglianone, Kurtz, Isaac -- @LetsGo8888888 on X

I guess you’re giving up on Basallo behind the plate, huh? Fair given that Adley Rutschman guy is in Baltimore. I think I’d rank future OPS as:

Samuel Basallo, Orioles (No. 2/MLB No. 13)
Jac Caglianone, Royals (No. 1/MLB No. 17)
Bryce Eldridge, Giants (No. 1/MLB No. 35)
Nick Kurtz, A’s (No. 2/MLB No. 45)
Xavier Isaac, Rays (No. 2/MLB No. 36)

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What is the rankings ceiling for a 17-year-old that hasn't hit stateside yet? Trying not to get too hyped for Made -- ‪@keithglaser on Bluesky

Hinted at this above when discussing breakout candidates. I get it, let’s let him play in the United States first. But the tools are very good, he has an impressive approach already (more BB than K!) and maybe because we saw the Brewers do it already with Chourio, I have faith that this is going to work. So … I won’t put a ceiling on him. If you told me in a year or two he’ll be at the top of our Top 100, I wouldn’t argue.